When we consign the 2024/25 season to history, we'll likely look back upon Gameweek 26 as the weekend which decided the Premier League title.
Adversity has doubtlessly hamstrung leading challengers Arsenal this term, but they had a chance to cut Liverpool's lead at the summit to five points ahead of their home game against West Ham United. With the Reds aiming to win at Manchester City for the first time in a decade the following day, a considerable opportunity had arisen for the Gunners.
However, instead of concluding the weekend with a fierce race on our hands, the majority are now labelling Arne Slot's side as champions-elect. A 2-0 win in Manchester, 24 hours after Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by West Ham, means Liverpool have one hand on their second Premier League title.
We all know who stole the show on the big stage at the Etihad, but there were an array of standout performers across the Premier League over the weekend. Here were six of the best individual displays.
6. Joao Pedro (Brighton)
There were no issues for Brighton on Saturday as they ventured across the south coast to visit bottom dwellers Southampton, leaving St. Mary's with a 4-0 win.
The majority of Brighton's explosive forward line shone, but it was Pedro, who hasn't had the most productive of 2025s thus far and has been limited by injury, who played with the most distinct swagger.
The Brazilian teamed up wonderfully with Georginio Rutter in Danny Welbeck's absence, and the pair combined for the opening goal. Pedro finished with aplomb over Aaron Ramsdale having been fed in behind by his partner.
His early strike set the tone for an elegant display littered with majestic sequences. The Saints failed to fluster Brighton's do-it-all forward who's returning to form.
5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
It cost West Ham a mere �15m to bring Wan-Bissaka to east London, and the former Manchester United full-back has proven to be one of the signings of the summer.
In a pretty bleak campaign for the Hammers, Wan-Bissaka has emerged as a shining light. He was perhaps the club's standout performer under Julen Lopetegui, and the defender's continued to impress since Graham Potter took charge.
The Englishman utilised Wan-Bissaka as a wing-back on Saturday against Arsenal, offering a stellar two-way performance which included an assist for the game's only goal. The defender's long been slandered for his supposed awkwardness in possession, but Wan-Bissaka performed with directness and purpose with the ball on Saturday.
The 27-year-old created a few yards of separation and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Jarrod Bowen to head home in the first half as West Ham upset the Gunners in north London.
4. Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
There was nothing serene about Newcastle's victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with the Magpies forced to cling on late despite racing into a 4-1 half-time lead.
Left-back Hall made key contributions in attack which sparked Newcastle's resurgence after falling behind early on. FPL adjudicators did steal an assist from him, but he nonetheless ended with a couple. After picking out Lewis Miley in the box to equalise, the hosts won a penalty after Hall's cross was handled by Ola Aina.
His productive first half was complemented by an impressive effort defensively. Forest are no slouches in wide areas, but the young left-back performed superbly one-on-one against the speed of Anthony Elanga and technique of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
3. Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)
Defeat against an in-form Everton aside, Crystal Palace have been one of the standout Premier League teams of 2025. Oliver Glasner has got the Eagles purring again.
Wing-back Munoz played an underrated role in their success down the stretch last season, and the Colombian has rediscovered his most dynamic form down Palace's right flank.
Munoz produced a magnificent all-round performance in Palace's 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage and capped off his display with an excellent finish which sealed his team's victory. A shimmy beyond Calvin Bassey opened up the chance, and he thundered his effort past Bernd Leno.
2. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
Bryan Mbeumo had recorded just a single goal contribution in six outings before Brentford rocked up to King Power on Friday night.
The Bees faced up against a Leicester side intent on taking the game to their hosts after ceding control to Arsenal last weekend, but the visitors, led by Mbeumo, were far too slick going forward.
The Cameroonian international worked devastatingly in tandem with partner in crime Yoane Wissa again, recording a goal and an assist in Brentford's 4-0 beatdown of the Foxes. The winger's strike to double the away side's lead was of the highest quality.
1. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Statisticians around the world were having a field day on Sunday afternoon as the inevitable Mohamed Salah scored and assisted in Liverpool's statement victory at the Etihad.
The Egyptian opened the scoring following a slick set-piece routine and later set up Dominik Szoboszlai after some excellent work down the right up against Josko Gvardiol.
The numbers are staggering, but Salah's performance against the champions was further indication that he's not merely an output man. The performance was stellar, too.
Liverpool had their issues getting out at times, especially in the second half, when preserving their lead, but Salah operated as a one-man attacking force leading the Reds' charge upfield. The visitors were supreme as a collective, but Salah, once again, proved the difference on the big occasion.
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